How to Keep a Cat's Fur White

White fur on a cat can stain easily, and it requires frequent grooming to keep it bright and clean. If showing your cat professionally, you want it to look its best, so you need to keep its white fur free of discolouration. Though your cat will naturally groom itself, certain types of dirt and bodily fluids can leave stains on a white cat's fur, requiring you to intervene and clean them.

Skill level:

Moderate

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Things you need

Fine-tooth comb

Soft-bristle brush

Cornstarch

Pet wipes

Hydrogen peroxide

Whitening cat shampoo

Cat conditioner

Towel

Hair dryer

Pet eye-cleaning wipes

Washcloth

Saline solution

Cotton balls

Witch hazel

Dry cat shampoo

Ground oats

Baking soda

Electric clippers

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Instructions

1

Brush your cat's fur daily with a fine-tooth comb to remove any particles of dirt from its fur. Dirt particles cause your cat's coat to appear dingy, but they do not stain the coat if they're removed with a dry brushing. After using a fine-tooth comb, switch to a soft-bristle brush to soften the fur and give it a healthy lustre by distributing the cat's natural skin oils throughout the fur.

2

Rub cornstarch on stains from dirt, faeces or urine to absorb the cause of the stain and help whiten the area. Brush the cornstarch out with a fine-tooth comb to remove the stain. If the stain remains, use a pet wipe on the area to work the stain out of the white fur. You can also make a paste of hydrogen peroxide and cornstarch, apply it to the stain and brush it out. This whitens the fur, and the hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen so it does not affect your cat.

3

Wash your cat twice per month with a whitening shampoo formulated for cats. These shampoos contain ingredients to brighten white fur and remove stains. Place your cat in a bathtub or kitchen sink and wet it with warm water. Apply a quarter-size amount of whitening shampoo to your cat's coat and work it into the fur with your hands. Let the shampoo sit for about five to 10 minutes and then rinse it with warm water. To keep your cat's fur healthy and smooth, apply a cat conditioner to the fur and rinse it out with warm water or use a leave-in conditioner that requires no rinsing. Dry your cat with a towel or hair dryer and brush it with a soft-bristle brush.

4

Clean away stains from tears on your white cat's face using special eye wipes made for cats and dogs, or with a warm, wet washcloth. Gently take the cloth and wipe from the corners of the eyes in a downward motion to remove tear stains and any remaining tears. You can also use a saline solution made for human contact lens wearers on a washcloth to remove stains safely around the eyes.

5

Wipe the insides of your cat's ears gently to remove any dirt and debris with a cotton ball moistened in witch hazel. This not only keeps the inside of your cat's ears white, but it prevents ear infections and allows you to inspect the ears for mites or other parasites.

6

Apply a dry shampoo for cats between washings. Sprinkle the powder or rub the foam or mousse on your cat's coat. Rub it in with your fingers, avoiding the eyes and ears. Brush it out with a fine-tooth comb and soft-bristle brush to remove all of the cleaner. These types of cleaners remove any oils and dirt from the fur, brighten it and make it smell fresh. For a homemade version of a dry cat shampoo, use cornstarch, ground oats or baking soda, according to Vetinfo.

Tips and warnings

Keep your cat indoors to prevent dirt from getting into its white fur and discolouring it.

When washing your cat, place cotton balls in its ears to prevent them from becoming wet and causing an ear infection.

After your cat eats, take a moist towel and wipe its chin to prevent staining on white fur.

Use electric clippers to trim any stubborn stains out of your cat's fur.